newbie question...

[abacus6]

tried this in the 1995-2001 forum w/ no response, thought i'd try here...

Bought a 2000 sport 4wd this summer, about 62k but in good shape ( cosmetics and engine). One issue i've come upon. I feel some sort of rubbing/grinding from the front passenger side while driving...quite pronounced while braking. Recently noticed a wobble in low speed (10-20 mph). Obviously an alignment check is needed, but I feel it's just a symptom or result of a bigger issue. Took it in for brakes to be checked and the brake dude ( who by the way, sed brakes were at 70% whatever that means...didn't replace anything) spazzed on me, going on about the front passenger wheel bearing being out and proceeded to demonstrate that neither wheels should pass inspection by lifting each wheel vertically with a pry bar about 1/2 an inch. I thanked him and left him to his mutterings...

i did a search here on the wheel bearing issue and found a few threads ( one seemed to match my noise complaint ) but there is NO way i can re-pack, or whatever, anything on my own.

the crux : does this sound like a wheel bearing issue? what on earth does that mean? i thought a bearing was a small metallic ball......if so, steps to remedy? and, IS it weird that both front wheels ( with the explorer raised ) can move vertically like that...independent of the suspension, obviously...just the wheel moving not the suspension travelling...if so , remedy?

sorry so long...thanks in advance!

btw, i purchased a warranty when i got the explorer, just wanted to get some wisdom prior to going through them...gotta use their recommended shop and such, don't wanna get screwed b/c they don't want to do any work...

 

[Brian_B]

I know your looking for an answer. I read your other post the other day. I don't have an answer for you. Packing wheel bearings is easy though. Get a repair manual and it walks you through it.

Wheel bearings are a whole series of round steel balls trapped in a ring. They all turn and ride on the race which is on the spindle and hold your rotor/wheel/tire off the spindle.

 

[abacus6]

alright...so does one find a new ring in which to pack the bearings new, or do i have to plunder for it?

or do i quit pondering and limp it to the shop?

 

[Brian_B]

NO. It all depends on if the bearings are shot or not. If they just need greasing, you use wheel bearing greese and your hand. You have to remove several parts to get them out first, but packing them is easy.

Replacing them is not hard if they are out anyway. How far is the shop? If its not far call them and make an appointment (make sure its covered under warranty). If its not, then get a book ($18-20) and follow directions.

 

[exploded99]

answered your other post....

 

[Brian_B]

A better job than I as well. I have never worked on a front end other than brakes and wheel bearings.

 

[exploded99]

well. Brian, you are driving an exploder, you may get your chance to do ball joints before you know it....

 

[jimbo74]

abacus, welcome to the site... yeah as the oterh s have said, dont psot somewhere else.. thats called double posting and not allowed on this site....

if it doesnt get answered, bump the thread, dont do it soooo much though that its annoying.....

 

[Brian_B]

well. Brian, you are driving an exploder, you may get your chance to do ball joints before you know it....

Lets hope its not for a long time.

I knows its a totally different front end, but.......

My 89 ranger (recently gave to my brother) I bought new and it still has the original front end parts other than the bearings, rotors, brakes, etc. It has 187,000 miles now.